Video: Stopping the fluoridation of public water – new Dáil move

» John Hedges & Mark Moloney

‘International studies prove tooth decay does not increase when fluoridation stops’

ENDING the automatic fluoridation of the public drinking water supply in the 26 Counties – no longer practised in most of the EU because it is not necessary and has possible side-effects – has been proposed in a new Bill tabled by Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley.

The 26-County state is one of only four EU states that continues the practice – water is not fluoridated in the North of Ireland, Scotland, most of England or Wales.

“International studies prove tooth decay does not increase when fluoridation stops,” Brian Stanley says. “The truth is we receive enough fluoride in our toothpaste.”

He points out that the EU Commission for Health and Consumers has said that people do not need fluoride for normal growth and development.

Medical research suggests that exposure to fluoride induces central nervous system disturbance, a high risk of Alzheimer’s and Osteoarthritis.

“This is not a party political issue but an issue of public health,” Brian Stanley says. “ I will be seeking cross-party support for the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies, Repeal) Bill 2013 when we debate it in the Dáil.”